Italian Nurse Accused of Killing Up To 38 Patients She Found ‘Annoying’

Italy – a nurse named Daniela Poggiali, 42,  was arrested on murder charges following the death of her 78-year-old patient, Rosa Calderoni.

Calderoni was admitted at a hospital in Lugo because of her diabetes-related illness. The patient died unexpectedly under Poggiali’s care. Tests revealed a high amount of potassium, which can provoke cardiac arrest, in her bloodstream.

According to prosecutors, potassium chloride fades from the bloodstream within a couple of days, which makes it even hard to detect. This becomes more difficult for investigators handling the case.

The incident triggered authorities to investigate further on Poggiali, especially the 37 other patients who had mysteriously died under her watch. Officials said her reason for doing such horrible crime is because she found the patients, or their relatives, annoying.

Police found out on  a picture of her on her cellphone giving a thumbs up next to a patient who had died moments before. This was confirmed by another colleague who she asked to have her photo taken. Another staff said the suspect jokes of giving high dose of potassium to a seriously ill patient.

CEN reports one  fellow nurse describing Poggiali as a “cold person but always eager to work.” Another coworker said the accused had a record for giving powerful laxatives to patients at the end of her shift to ’embarrass’ the nurses working after her.